Urine diverter with end of life cycle indicator

ABSTRACT

An indicator that the cartridge is draining slowly is placed on top of the cartridge. When slow draining causes urine to pool on top of the cartridge, liquid enters a float housing, causing an indicator to change color. The indicator is visible through a lens in a diverter. The indicator may be a disk that undergoes a chemical reaction to change color or a float that flips over to reveal a side having a different color. When the cartridge is operating properly, the float displays a first color. Flipping of the float reveals a second color to the observer. A color change indicates that the cartridge needs to be replaced.

This application claims benefit of provisional application 60/741,748 filed Dec. 2, 2006 and 60/752,861, filed Dec. 21, 2005.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Waterfree urinals (urinals that do not require flushing with water to block odors from emitting from the drain) utilize a cartridge attached to a drain, the drain leading to a sewer or septic system. Within the cartridge is a trap to contain liquid to prevent gases coming through the drain and escaping through the cartridge. Over time, precipitants from urine slow the draining ability and capacity of the cartridge. Over time, the cartridge drains too slowly to be useful, causing urine to back-up onto the top of the cartridge. At this point, the entire cartridge must be replaced.

It is an object of the invention to provide a waterfree cartridge having a visual indicator of the end of useful life.

It is another object of the invention to provide a waterfree cartridge having an indicator that may be removed and reused with a new cartridge.

These and other objects of the invention will become apparent to one of ordinary skill after reading the disclosure of the invention.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An indicator that the cartridge is draining slowly is placed on top of the cartridge having a first condition when dry and a second condition when exposed to a sufficient amount of liquid. When slow draining causes urine to pool on top of the cartridge, liquid enters a float housing, causing an indicator to change conditions, such as color. The indicator is visible through a lens in a diverter. The indicator may be a disk that undergoes a chemical reaction to change color or a float that flips over to reveal a side having a different color. When the cartridge is operating properly, the float displays a first color. Flipping of the float reveals a second color to the observer. A color change indicates that the cartridge needs to be replaced.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the waterfree cartridge;

FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the indicator;

FIG. 3 is a bottom cross-sectional perspective view of the indicator;

FIG. 4 is a top perspective cross-sectional view of the indicator;

FIG. 5 is an exploded view of a second embodiment of the indicator;

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the second embodiment of the indicator;

FIG. 7 is a bottom perspective view of the diverter in FIG. 5;

FIG. 8 is a bottom perspective view of the lens used in the second embodiment;

FIG. 9 is a bottom perspective view of the indicator foot with attachment stem;

FIG. 10 is a top perspective view of the indicator foot; and

FIG. 11 is a bottom perspective view of the indicator cover.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 depicts the cartridge that may be used with the indicator. The cartridge 20 has a housing 22 and a funnel-shaped top 24. The top 24 is provided with at least one drain hole 26 and a central aperture. The cartridge housing connects to a drain and has a trap, as is conventional, to prevent sewer gases from escaping through the cartridge.

An exploded view of the indicator is seen in FIG. 2. A urine diverter 30 to prevents any stream of liquid from being directed straight into the indicator. A central aperture allows a user visual access to the float 40 and lens 38 covers the central aperture. The float 40 has a float rotation axle 42, a flat top 44, which is a first condition, such as the color green, and a rounded bottom 46, which is a second condition, such as the color red. The float 40 rests within a float housing 50. An attachment stem 52 extends downwardly from the float housing and fits within a central aperture in the cartridge top 24 to secure the indicator to the cartridge. A reset button 60 engages the bottom of the housing, as will be described later. The bottom also has apertures to allow the egress of liquids.

The engagement between the float housing 50 and the diverter 30 is clearly seen in FIG. 3. An attachment collar 32 depends from the bottom surface of the baffle and secures the housing in place. The top of the clear lens 38 is sandwiched between the top of the float housing 50 and diverter 30. Air vents are provided at the top of the side wall of the housing to allow air to escape as liquid enters the float housing. The diverter is also provided with air vents 34 having baffles 36.

FIG. 4 clearly depicts the float axle 42 fitting within a cradle formed within the float housing allowing the float to rotate about this axle. After attachment of the float housing to the diverter, the reset button is retracted to allow free float movement. The diverter is manipulated until the float exposes its top flat side 44 to the clear observation lens 38. Once the float is in the proper position, the reset button is closed to lock the float in place. In the nonactuated position, the flat side up, the float is in a stable position. The float is further maintained in this position by tabs 43 resting on the top surface of the reset button. When the cartridge approaches the end of its useful life, it begins to drain slower and slower.

Eventually, the point is reached where urine backs up onto the top of the cartridge to a height sufficient to allow urine through the apertures in the bottom of the float housing. The float will rise until the axle 42 contacts the bottom of the posts extending from the lens 38. The float has positive buoyancy and, in an effort to rise further, will rotate about the axis 42 to expose the red side to the lens 38, known as the actuated position. With slow draining, the level with decrease and the float will slowly sink until the tabs 43 again contact the top surface of the reset button. The float then maintains the actuated position even if the cartridge completely drains. When the red side is visible, it is an indication that the cartridge must be replaced. The diverter and indicator may be reused.

A second embodiment of the indicator can be seen in FIG. 5 with a cartridge housing 120 having top wall 124 having a central aperture 126 and drain holes. A diverter 130 with vent holes 134 is dome-shaped and covers the remaining parts of the indicator to prevent a urine from being directed straight into the indicator.

The indicator foot 150 provides a housing for the float 140. Similar to the first embodiment, the float 140 has a flat top surface of one color, such as green and a rounded bottom surface which is a second color, such as red. The float is hollow to create positive buoyancy and will rotate about the axis 142 when exposed to liquid.

The indicator foot has an attachment stem 152 extending from a rounded bottom accommodating the rounded bottom of the float. The indicator foot fits within a central aperture of an indicator cover as the attachment stem has a friction fit within the central aperture 126.

The interengagement of the parts can clearly be seen in FIG. 6 with the cartridge 120 supporting the indicator. The float 140 rests within the indicator foot 150 and the cover 160 is connected to the indicator 150 by any conventional means, such as gluing. The indicator foot also connects to the diverter by any conventional means, such as ultrasonic welding. Also seen in this view is the clear lens 138 having a central portion fitting within a central aperture of the diverter 130 to give visual access to the float. Depending posts of the lens 138 serve to retain the axle 142 of the float 140 between the post and the indicator 140, allowing rotation of the float under the proper conditions.

FIG. 7 shows the underside of the diverter 130. The perimeter of the diverter is provided with tabs 133 to keep the edge of the diverter spaced above the top surface of the cartridge 124 and allow liquid to pass underneath the diverter. Two sets of flanges depend from the diverter. The first set of flanges are arcuate sections, such as four, separated from one another. The second set of flanges 137 is located radially outwardly from the first set. The middle of each flange is provided with a central arcuate portion to space the flange from the vent holes 134 so that surface tension between the liquid and the flange will not cause the air vents 134 to be blocked. The air vents provide escape from air from underneath the diverter in response to rising liquid levels.

The transparent lens 138 is more clearly seen in FIG. 8 with a raised central portion which will fit within the central aperture 132 of the diverter. Also seen is the pair of posts 139 having a generally T-shaped cross section.

The indicator foot 150 is depicted in FIG. 9. The exterior surface of the foot 150 is provided with outwardly extending panels 158. These panels provide a surface for the cover 160 to attach. Along each side of the panels 152 are slots 153 allowing the passage of liquid.

FIG. 10 shows details of the inner surface of the indicator foot. The inner surface is provided with four posts. Two of the posts 154 have a groove to accommodate the T-shaped lens post 139 whereas the other two posts 155 pass a smooth inner surface. A wall 156 extends between the posts, this wall 156 having a height which is less than the height of the post. As liquid backs up onto the top surface 124 of the cartridge, due to slow draining, liquid passes through the slots 153. When the liquid level rises above the height of the wall 156, it fills the arcuate bottom of the indicator foot where the float is housed, causing the float to rotate about the axis 142. The indicator foot cannot drain and the float is maintained in its actuated position.

FIG. 11 shows the indicator cover 160 having a series of panels 162 which, as described earlier, are attached to the panels 152 on the exterior of the indicator foot.

The invention has been described with reference to preferred embodiments. Variation and modification would be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art and the invention encompasses such variations and modifications. For example, the float and housing can be located under the cartridge top wall, at a level where liquid is not expected to rise. A lens or other means of allowing visual inspection of the float are then formed in the cartridge top wall. Also, a float and housing assembly can be incorporated into a conventional ceramic urinal by again placing it at a level where urine is next expected to rise under proper working conditions. 

1. A waterfree urinal, comprising: a cartridge having a top surface, said top surface having at least one drain hole, an indicator, said indicator comprising: a housing, said housing having at least one aperture allowing for the ingress of liquids, a float, said float within said housing visible through said diverter aperture, said float displaying a first color when dry and a second color when exposed to liquids.
 2. The urinal of claim 1, wherein the float switches between said first and second color by rotating about an axis.
 3. The urinal of claim 1, wherein said housing aperture is in a bottom of the housing.
 4. The urinal of claim 1, wherein said housing aperture is in a sidewall of said housing.
 5. The urinal of claim 1, wherein said float has a flat top, said flat top being said first color and a rounded bottom, said rounded bottom being said second color.
 6. The urinal of claim 1, further comprising an cover, said cover comprising a ring having a central aperture, a plurality of flanges extending upwardly form said ring, said housing extending from said ring central aperture.
 7. The urinal of claim 1, further comprising a diverter above said cartridge top surface, said diverter having an aperture.
 8. The urinal of claim 7, further comprising a transparent lens, covering said diverter aperture.
 9. An indicator, said indicator comprising: a housing, said housing having at least one aperture allowing for the ingress of liquids, a diverter above said housing, said diverter having an aperture, a float, said float within said housing visible through said diverter aperture, said float displaying a first color when dry and a second color when exposed to liquids.
 10. The indicator of claim 9, wherein the float switches between said first and second color by rotating about an axis.
 11. The indicator of claim 9, wherein said housing aperture is in a bottom of the housing.
 12. The indicator of claim 9, wherein said housing aperture is in a sidewall of said housing
 13. A waterfree urinal, comprising: a cartridge having a top surface, said top surface having at least one drain hole, an indicator, said indicator comprising: a housing, said housing having at least one aperture allowing for the ingress of liquids, a signal, said float within said housing visible through said diverter aperture, said signal displaying a first color when dry and a second color when exposed to liquids.
 14. The urinal of claim 13, wherein said signal is a float.
 15. The urinal of claim 13 further comprising a diverter above said cartridge top surface, said diverter having an aperture. 